What should I expect to pay for a NICE VH Parker these days?

[MrBojangles]

Well, does $2925.60 for each sound fair?

Both definitely original, 95% at least, maybe a bit more, the usual scratches and dings from having been used, but not much.

12 gauge and 16 gauge look neatly identical but the 16 gauge, despite little use, has a crack forming in the upper tang.

Both are what they are supposed to be in the Parker book.

That’s what they would have cost me IF I could have gotten them for $2400 each at auction. I bid both up a bit, and both sold for $2300 each which, for me, would have been $2803.70.

There also was a 12 gauge with a vented rib that the Parker book has listed, but not with the rib. Rest was in the book, including straight grip. Not quite as nice as the other 12 gauge, hammered at $5600, which was $6,826.40 had I gotten it.

None seemed to me incredible bargains. But maybe some meat on the bone as to what is fair. But asking prices are all over the place, and I’m a whore when it comes to paying for something. No offense to anyone, but most dealers are (although one with the initials JL treated me really well in the past). I know they have to make a living, too, but I’m just not a retail kind of guy.

Edit: All 3 have letters on them, but not with them now. It would have been fun to win all three and letter them.��

[Dean Weber]

Ian,
I am trying to understand your point. Are you trying to understand value or are you trying to understand the results of said auction? My point is there a couple emotions after an auction. If you win, you question whether you paid too much. If you are not on the winning side, we often see questioning of whether we were not aggressive enough. I am aware of the auction you are referencing. All 3 guns were high condition guns. IMHO, all were fair values, if not bargains.

[MrBojangles]

Originally Posted by Dean Weber

Ian,
I am trying to understand your point. Are you trying to understand value or are you trying to understand the results of said auction? My point is there a couple emotions after an auction. If you win, you question whether you paid too much. If you are not on the winning side, we often see questioning of whether we were not aggressive enough. I am aware of the auction you are referencing. All 3 guns were high condition guns. IMHO, all were fair values, if not bargains.

My question was with regards to being aggressive enough. I think they were fair value, but not bargains, but what’s fair to bid up to? One more bid and then the next bid would be over 3k. Sure, a dealer is going to put $5500 on those two, but how long will he sit on them and what will he really get for them?

I like to get a bargain at auction. I can pay fair price or retail elsewhere.

Everyone keeps on saying gun prices have peaked, expect a slide. I’m not seeing it. And 12 gauges are not as popular anymore. So not even sure if that’s a 3k gun anymore.

[MrBojangles]

BTW, these were sitting at well under 2k for the longest time, I was hoping that they wouldn’t move much and 2k or less might snag them. Usually, the spread between pre bidding and eventual hammer price isn’t that great.

[David Noble]

It's difficult (and a bit naive) to think you can get "bargain" prices on guns that are near benchmark condition at an auction.
And you better damn well know how to judge original Parker case colors as compared to fairly close match by some refinisher.

[MrBojangles]

Originally Posted by David Noble

It's difficult (and a bit naive) to think you can get "bargain" prices on guns that are near benchmark condition at an auction.
And you better damn well know how to judge original Parker case colors as compared to fairly close match by some refinisher.

Well, these were supposedly from a local family in which the father or grandfather accumulated nice stuff decades ago and it hadn’t seen the light of day since then. Offered at a small auction house. I don’t know whether to post links or not.

Frankly, auctions suck ever since the internet. Anyone with a wallet and an internet connection can play the game.

It was so much better when the bidders usually were only those within the four hallowed walls of the auction house and you thought it dirty pool of someone who wasn’t there left an absentee bid.

[Clark McCombe]

In the late 60’s through the 70’s I went to hundreds of farm auctions with my father.
All good experiences. Saw the same friends, met new ones and sometimes happened upon a treasure .

[Scott Smith]

It appears that expections of low prices simply because items are offered at auction, together with an unwillingness to pay fair market prices for quality Parkers, is not a winning strategy.

Take comfort in the fact that there are still opportunities to acquire high condition Parkers in today's Guyette & Deeter auction.

[mobirdhunter]

You still have to decide -- and be honest with yourself -- if you're really "collecting" bargains or guns. Sometimes you get both, but not often.

[MrBojangles]

Originally Posted by Scott Smith

It appears that expections of low prices simply because items are offered at auction, together with an unwillingness to pay fair market prices for quality Parkers, is not a winning strategy.

Take comfort in the fact that there are still opportunities to acquire high condition Parkers in today's Guyette & Deeter auction.

Guyette & Deeter, which is Josh Loewenstein, has amazing stuff!